Vz. 33 Carbine
Zbrojovka Brno · Carbine · Discontinued · 1934
Also known as: puška vz. 33, vz. 33, Brno vz. 33, Mountain Carbine
Overview
The Vz. 33 is a Czechoslovak bolt-action carbine derived from the Mauser-pattern vz. 24 service rifle and chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser. Manufactured by Zbrojovka Brno from 1934, it was developed as a short, handy weapon for the Czechoslovak gendarmerie and border guards, featuring a 490 mm barrel, a five-round integral box magazine loaded by stripper clip, and a turned-down bolt handle. Following the German occupation, its design was adopted by the Wehrmacht as the Gewehr 33/40 mountain carbine.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3350 g (118.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 995 mm (39.17") |
| Barrel Length | 490 mm (19.29") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 820 m/s (2690 fps) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.92x57mm Mauser · primary — also known as 8mm Mauser, 7.92x57mm, 8x57mm IS
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Stripper Clip Loading, Turned Down Bolt Handle, Carbine Length, Tangent Rear Sight
Variants
- Gewehr 33/40 — German Mountain Carbine
Service history
Operators
- Czechoslovak Gendarmerie · adopted 1934 · as puška vz. 33
- Czechoslovak Armed Forces
- Wehrmacht · adopted 1941 · as Gewehr 33/40
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 25,300 · Production years: 1934-1942
Approximately 25,300 vz. 33 carbines produced by Zbrojovka Brno; the derived German G33/40 added over 131,000 units in 1941-1942.
Origin
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Notes
Czechoslovak production totalled roughly 25,300 carbines. After the occupation of Czechoslovakia, German forces had the design produced as the G33/40, of which over 131,000 were built between 1941 and 1942 for Gebirgsjäger mountain troops.
Background
The compact vz. 33 directly inspired the Wehrmacht's prized Gewehr 33/40 mountain carbine, which is among the more sought-after collectible German Mausers because of its short, light handling and Czech craftsmanship.